Skin Care and Preparing for Winter

winter woman scarf and hat

With all the anticipation of Fall approaching, many people look past the fact that winter is right behind it! Rigid wind and temperatures tend to suck the natural oils out of your skin, leaving you cracked and dry for the season. Dehydration can not only leave you feeling uncomfortable in your own skin, but it can lead to flaking, cracking, and dullness. There are a few skin care routines that can help you stay ahead of this dry season – the only require is a small amount of extra attention and time to prepare!

The easiest step, but most overlooked is to KEEP IT COOLED DOWN!

Long, hot showers or baths is the quickest way to dry your skin out! Although it can feel nice to jump in that steaming hot bathtub whenever it is below freezing outside- try to limit yourself. A hot shower or bath once or twice a week can fulfill your steaming hot needs, but also leaves 5 or 6 days out of the week for a normal, healthy temperature.

Another method to preventing dry skin is to MOISTURIZE!

Using moisturizer is a good habit for everyday use, but you must take it the extra mile for winter! If your regular moisturizer does not seem to be getting the job done, try switching to a thicker formula that might work better. If you are confused about what formula is best for your skin, some key words to look for are “hydrating,” “healing,” “hyaluronic acid” and “antioxidants”.

Keeping that summer glow throughout winter is possible with exfoliating!

Exfoliation is good for the face and body! Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, moisturizes, polishes the skin and can prevent breakouts! Exfoliating can help clear our pores and prep for our beauty products. You should do this 1-3 times per week, either in the shower or at the sink, wherever is most convenient!

Something you shouldn’t forget to do is protect your lips!

This can be as easy as applying lip balm before bed, when you wake up, after you brush your teeth or after eating. Any activity that can remove the previous layer, you should reapply after. A good idea is to use a thicker, healing formula when ending the day that way it can work its magic overnight, without interruptions.

Sometimes you can follow all the steps and still have irritated skin in the winter. This is most likely from overloading your skin!

Overloading can tend to overwhelm and stress out your skin. It is best to not add a ton of new products at once. Overhauling your skin care products can clog up your pores, dry out your skin and cause breakouts. You should try to space out the new products and make sure you are not using a ton of products on the same area at once.

Schedule on of our services!

Scheduling a service such as a facial or body treatment can help your skin get the intensive and expert care that is requires. Skin analysis and personal consultations will be used to discuss the needs of your skin and the troubles you are facing this winter. It will be tailored to your skin traits and create a one-of-a-kind rejuvenation of you.

You may be using moisturizers daily or keeping up with your skin care routine and wondering what a facial can do differently for you? Facials strategically remove the outer layer of your skin to allow moisturizers and creams to penetrate the skin better and become more effective!

Our Precision Wellness Estheticians are experienced and bring a wealth of knowledge and passion along with every service! Call today to set up your consultation at (417) 886-1131.

Postpartum Massage

Woman-kissing-baby

While we have already explained the benefits massage can have on pregnant women, it’s worth noting the importance of massage after having a baby as well. Carrying a child can be one of the most altering life events a woman will ever go through – especially physically.

Along with going through a large number of bodily changes in the past 9 months, a new mother also has a lot more responsibility and stress after her baby is born. That’s a lot of pressure on someone!

Massages are a key element in postpartum recovery because:

They’re great for relieving stress and anxiety.

What better what to relax than to get a massage? Massages are able to relax the otherwise high-strung muscles that were used heavily during pregnancy and labor, smoothing out knotted areas of the body. Don’t be afraid to truly pamper yourself during this session either – you just brought a baby into this world! – so why not add in an extra relaxing facial?

They help to balance out hormones.

Many women struggle with depression and hormone imbalances postpartum. Luckily, massages help to balance out hormones by the release of chemicals during the massage (especially when essential oils are used).

Massages can decrease pain.

For a long time, people have received massages to help with their chronic pain. A lot of people don’t know that the underlying cause of a hurting part of the body is usually caused by an entirely different area – but your massage therapist will be able to help pinpoint your troubles!

They can also improve sleep.

It’s no surprise that many new mothers are severely sleep-deprived. Speedy recovery is linked with getting good sleep, so it’s crucial that you make time for yourself. Let your mother-in-law watch the baby for an hour or two while you take time to rest and relax with a massage and take a nap afterward!

As soon as you feel comfortable enough to receive a massage, make an appointment! If you’re not sure your body is quite ready or have questions, always check with your doctor to ensure a postpartum massage is the right move for you.

Herbal Oil Facial Benefits

woman-getting-an-herbal-oil-facial-from-esthetician

Everyone needs a facial occasionally! Whether that be to reduce stress, cleanse your skin, prevent aging, promote blood circulation, rejuvenate and detoxify your skin, or treat acne. What most people are missing though, is individualized skincare! What if you could find a facial that was infused with a blend of all custom aromatherapy, herbal oil, mask, and fruit enzymes?! Well, stop searching, because Precision Wellness has exactly that!

Let’s begin by discussing what Herbal Oil is and how it can be beneficial to you! Cannabidiol (aka Herbal Oil) is naturally occurring and is found in the cannabis Sativa hemp plant. Herbal oils made from hemp contain non-psychoactive cannabidiol. Non-psychoactive means that it does not produce a euphoric or psychotropic effect when used. Hemp products like herbal oil are completely legal and available across the United States!

Herbal oil has been found to be a more natural alternative to prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs for things like stiffness, chronic pain, epilepsy, fighting cancer, acne, and Alzheimer’s Disease! Herbal oil has slowly been breaking into the health and beauty industries. With that being said, herbal oil is not a cure-all potion – but it can leave a therapeutic, relaxing effect on people and truly impact your body in a positive way!

The benefits of herbal oil might surprise you!

  • If you are suffering from injury, overworked muscles, or chronic pain herbal oil-infused facials may provide pain relief!
  • The addition of herbal oil has been shown to reduce inflammation of the muscles and joints by recruiting more immune cells to the area and telling the overactive immune cells to stop overworking.
  • Herbal oil can decrease muscle spasms and help muscles relax!
  • Herbal oil also promotes a sense of calmness and relaxation!
  • Herbal oil oil also has antioxidant properties! What does this mean? It works against aging skin, such as wrinkles and dullness!

So, now you know the benefits of herbal oil. How would you like to book an individualized facial, tailored exactly to your skin type? That’s right, Individualized! Our facials are designed for your exact complexion; customized from start to finish. We create an aromatherapy blend that is perfect for your skin. Beginning with a thorough cleansing and skin analysis, which is followed by extraction of blackheads or whiteheads if required. Then, a custom mask and gentle fruit enzyme peel are applied to remove any dead skin and reveal the bright new skin underneath! Our CBD Oil Infused Facials also include a relaxing scalp, face, neck, and shoulder massage.

Talk with Precision Wellness today about your customized Herbal Oil-Infused Facial!

Microdermabrasion vs Dermaplaning

microdermabrasion dermaplaning women fingers near face

Microdermabrasion and dermaplaning…. Both words that sound a little scary, especially if you haven’t had either of them done before. However, these two treatments are great ways to rejuvenate skin and get rid of dead skin cells (not to mention how much more popular they’ve become in recent years!). Here’s what you need to know about them:

Microdermabrasion

This is done by exfoliating your skin to remove the dead skin cells and works to smooth fine lines, wrinkles, pore size, and sun damage with a diamond tip wand. It’s a little hand held device that gently sands that top layer of skin. This is a non invasive technique that is a great alternative to chemical peels!

We recommend getting a microdermabrasion treatment done in a series (anywhere from 4 to 6 treatments) to ensure you get the best results. From there, it’s up to you how often you’d like to receive the treatment, although you should keep in mind that your skin generally sheds and regenerates every month!

Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning is a favorite among our clients because it gets rid of the face’s peach fuzz and old, dry skin to reveal perfectly smooth and glowing skin underneath. This treatment includes the use of a surgical scalpel to carefully remove the top layer of dead skin, allowing greater penetration of beauty products and easier makeup application!

Here at Precision Wellness, we also offer the option to add a Glycolic peel to a dermaplaning session to improve the production of collagen and leave a youthful, beautiful glow. We typically recommend getting a dermaplaning treatment every three to four weeks.

Both of these treatments should be done by a trained esthetician to ensure your skin is treated flawlessly. Because each person’s skin is different, we always encourage you to speak up about your concerns or previous experiences with skin treatments!

To book your microdermabrasion or dermaplaning treatment, call us at 417-886-1131 today!

What Are The Differences Between a Brazilian Wax and a Bikini Wax?

jar of wax with wooden applicators and flowers

Bikini Waxes Vs. Brazilian Waxes

Simply shaving your pubic hair can leave the hair longer than you’d like – not to mention the high possibility of razor burn. Waxing is a much smoother alternative, and results last for weeks!

So, what’s the difference between a bikini wax and a Brazilian? A bikini wax is typically where the hair along the bikini line is removed (that way you can’t see any hair when you’re in your swimsuit). For the most part, this is a fairly quick process and is a common choice. A Brazilian wax removes all the hair in your pubic region, often only leaving a strip of hair in the front or nothing at all. This includes the full bikini wax, plus removing all the hair on the front, back, sides, and middle of your private parts. For those that like the feel of being completely hair-free, Brazilian waxes are a great option. Most of the time, you can leave your underwear on during a standard bikini wax, but for a Brazilian, you’ll be sans panties.

Are Brazilian Waxes Better Than Bikini Waxes?

Regardless of the option you choose, waxes help to remove the full follicle of hair to keep it from growing back for longer periods of time. There is no “better” option between a bikini wax or a brazilian, it all depends on your wants and paint tolerance! A Brazilian/bikini wax is not the most pleasant thing to experience compared to the discomfort of bikini waxes, although it does get less painful the more often you get it done, and your results are more noticeable. It’s important to use an experienced professional to get these waxes done, as this area can be very sensitive.

Why Do People Get Brazilian Waxes?

Some reasons for having a Brazilian wax include cleanliness, convenience and, of course, sexiness. When you sit at the beach or pool in your bathing suit, you feel so good, so comfortable because you don’t have to worry about hair peeking out.

Book online or call us at (417) 886-1131 to schedule a waxing appointment.

What is Neuromuscular Therapy Massage?

massage-therapist-rubbing-a-clients-foot-with-both-hands

Neuromuscular massage is a specific deep tissue massage that utilizes friction and pressure to work out muscle strains. These areas are referred to as “trigger points,” and cause pain for a lot of people. Neuromuscular massages should be given by trained professionals that have had experience in this work.

This type of massage has a lot of benefits – typically, neuromuscular therapy massage helps with compressed nerves, muscle spasms, and poor blood flow. For many people, this massage will be painful at first as the muscles are worked on, but no one should feel an overwhelming amount of pain. Clients should always feel comfortable with communicating to their massage therapist how the pressure feels on them in order to get the most out of their massage.

Using slow, pressured strokes, massage therapists can penetrate the deeper layers of tissue to find the actual issues – the soft tissues, the muscles and ligaments, and the nervous system. When telling your massage therapist about how a certain area of your body that you experience pain, don’t be surprised if they don’t work that area very much. Often, there are specific points on other parts of the body that are the root of the pain that they must work on in order to smooth out the muscles. For example, for people complaining about back pain, a massage therapist might work on the upper glutes to release tension tying into the back.

Many people will feel sore after this massage the next day because of the amount of lactic acid that is released during the massage. Your massage therapist will probably recommend that you try a different movement during the day to lessen the amount of muscle pain you experience (like sitting straighter in chairs to lessen the strain on back muscles, etc).

Here at Precision Wellness, we have multiple massage therapists trained on how to perform neuromuscular massages. We would love to see how we can lessen your muscle pain with this type of massage – book online today!

Dermaplaning vs. Full Face Waxing and Shaving

woman in robe with towel on head touching her face and smiling

Everyone likes having smooth skin, and for many people, their faces are no exception. To get rid of the peach fuzz (also called Vellus hair) on your face, there are some options.

Dermaplaning is a treatment that should only be provided by a licensed professional. During this process, the skin is pulled taut on the face while a surgical blade is used to closely cut the fine hair and dead skin. Unlike other methods, using this treatment allows the hair to grow back softer and is a better exfoliant. Learn more about dermaplaning.

While waxing is a common option people utilize, there are a few things to keep in mind. We always recommend using a test spot before waxing the entire face to ensure your skin isn’t sensitive to the wax being used. Once again, you should use a professional for waxing to ensure the process is done smoothly and doesn’t leave behind scarring.

Another option is to shave the hair off of your face. People typically do this at home and must do this method more often as the hair tends to grow back quicker than the other options. Shaving tends to blunt the hair so that it doesn’t act as well as an exfoliant and could potentially lead to ingrown hairs or razor burn. This option does not offer the same exfoliation as the other two methods.

Everyone’s skin is different, and we encourage you to find the method that works with your routine the best. If you have low pain tolerance, you should look into dermaplaning or shaving options, as waxing can be painful.

If you’re not sure where to start with getting rid of the hair on your face, we’d love to talk to you! Our licensed estheticians can help guide you through the process of dermaplaning and waxing, and explain the best option for your hair and skin.

First Time Massage Questions

first time neck being massaged

Thinking of getting a professional massage for the first time? You may have questions before you make the appointment.

Maybe you’re self-conscious about getting undressed in front of a stranger. Or you’re worried that the massage will hurt. Or you’re hoping it will cure a backache you’ve had for years.

To help put you at ease before your first massage, here are frequently asked questions and answers about massage. So stop fretting and just relax — that’s the whole point of getting a massage.

What type of massage should I get?
There are many different styles of massage. The most common is the Swedish massage, which is a whole-body therapeutic massage designed to relax the muscles and joints. Other popular types include deep tissue, shiatsu, hot stone, reflexology, and Thai massage. You may want to choose a specialty, like sports massage or pregnancy massage, if that suits your needs.

When should I schedule a massage?
Think about your day’s schedule before you set up your massage. For example, don’t eat right before or exercise immediately after your massage.

Will I be naked?

You only need to take off only as much clothing as you’re comfortable removing. You can leave your undergarments on if you choose, as massage can be done through clothing. The massage therapist will give you privacy while you undress or leave the room. During the massage, the therapist will use a sheet or towel to drape the parts of your body that are not being massaged. Is the massage going to hurt?

It shouldn’t hurt, but you should keep the lines of communication open. If a therapist is pressing too deeply in an area, you should tell them.

Should I talk during the massage?

It’s up to you. Some people like to remain quiet and listen to music during the massage. Others like to make light conversation. Tell your massage therapist your preference.

What if I fall asleep?

You may get drowsy during the massage, so don’t worry if you fall asleep. Your massage therapist will wake you up at the end of the massage.

How will I feel after the massage?

You should feel some relief after a massage. Sometimes you may experience 24-48 hours of soreness.

After a massage, you should feel relaxed and mellow, a little bit like you’ve had a glass of wine. That has to do with the changes in neurochemicals like serotonin and endorphins.

Massage & Working at a Desk

Man-sitting-at-a-desk

Desk workers are notorious for sharing some of the worst aches and pains because they are confined to a chair for 8 hours a day. Not only does the affect your body physically but can also take a toll on your mental health as well. Many office workers experience back pain, headaches, stiff joints, and more ailments. Massage can help realign your spine to fix your posture from bending over a computer all day and help to relieve the pains associated with desk work.

Massages can counteract the bad postures your body is put through during the day. That means our deep tissue massage will work past the first layer of muscle tissue to relieve chronic pain and increase joint mobility. Not to mention, our relaxation massage is great to engage the sympathetic nervous system and relax the mind and body. This is especially great for people that have very high-stress jobs or tend to get anxious during job projects. What better way to unwind than with a massage?

The strain of looking at a computer all day tends to give us headaches and migraines that just don’t seem to go away. Massages increase blood flow circulation and smooth out those tense muscles in order for them to heal. This gives your body a chance to relax and enjoy the break away from the desk.

It’s not just your back and shoulders that feel the pressure – You can develop knots in your forearms and stiffness in your wrists from typing. With a full-body massage, we’ll be able to work out the kinks so you can keep pounding that keyboard.

Massage is a great natural way to improve productivity, alleviate stress, and heal your body’s aches without the use of chemicals or drugs. While each situation is different, your body can greatly benefit from a professional massage tailored to your unique needs.

With many different massage techniques available, Precision Wellness is your go-to for any and all treatments. Let us know your specific ailments when you come to see us, and we’ll help you decide the perfect massage for you! We offer deep tissue, neuromuscular, relaxation, Thai, and herbal oil-infused massage at our location right here in Springfield, Missouri!

Summer Skin Care

summer woman at beach sunglasses

Just because you’re out and about during the summer, that doesn’t mean you get to skip out on skin care! This is the time when you tend to bare a lot more skin than the winter months, which means you’re exposing it to bad UV rays, slathering on greasy sunscreen, and clogging up pores with sweat (can you just feel the breakouts happening??). During the hot, humid, summer months is when your skin especially needs a boost of love, and here’s what you can do:

While you might think that the look of tans are worth the damage, they really aren’t. Tanning beds and harmful UV levels will lead to wrinkles, dryness, and might even lead to skin cancer. We recommend using high SPF sunscreen and moisturizing often to lock in your skin’s glow for years to come. Don’t forget those lips either! Look for lip balm with an SPF of 15 to keep those smackers smackin’.

If you feel that you really want that summer tan, but don’t want to damage your skin, invest in a sunless tanner! These can give you that darker tint and still leave your skin looking beautiful.

Exfoliating can also help your skin stay fresh and clear by rubbing out all the dirt and getting rid of the dull skin on top. Body treatments like our Full Body Sugar Scrub Exfoliation can brighten and hydrate your skin while also being anti-cellulite! There are many ways you can exfoliate your body and getting a body treatment is one of the best ways to relax and enjoy the summer.

With how much we sweat during the summer, it’s crucial that you take the time to develop a facial skin care routine. Getting regular facials and cleaning your face daily will help to get that nasty dirt and grime that comes with sweat out of your pores – keeping your face clear of blemishes!

You don’t have to worry about your skin breaking out and looking dull by keeping these tips in mind! Scheduling facials and body treatments through Precision Wellness will help keep that acne at bay and your skin looking refreshed and rejuvenated.

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Therapeutic Massage, Esthetics and Yoga

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